During a conference-trip to L.A., an academic runs into an old-flame and into trouble with the police when she disappears, presumed murdered.

Prof. Andrew Gentling, in Los Angeles to help found a new college, is inveigled by old flame Catherine Sykes into a midnight drive. Next day Catherine is missing, believed killed; friend Martha convinces Andrew that he's a prime suspect and should investigate before he's arrested. But this only puts Andrew in a more deadly kind of danger.—Rod Crawford <[email protected]>